The β3 Subunit Contributes to Vascular Calcium Channel Upregulation and Hypertension in Angiotensin II–Infused C57BL/6 Mice

Voltage-gated L-type Ca(2+) (Ca(v)1.2) channels in vascular smooth muscle cells are a predominant Ca(2+) influx pathway that mediates arterial tone. Channel biogenesis is accomplished when the pore-forming α(1C) subunit coassembles with regulatory Ca(v)β subunits intracellularly, and the multiprotein Ca(v)1.2 channel complex translocates to the plasma membrane to form functional Ca(2+) channels. We hypothesized that the main Ca(v)β isoform in vascular smooth muscle cells, Ca(v)β3, is required for the upregulation of arterial Ca(v)1.2 channels during the development of hypertension, an event associated with abnormal Ca(2+)-dependent tone. Ca(v)1.2 channel expression and function were compared between second-order mesenteric arteries of C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and Ca(v)β3(-/-) mice infused with saline (control) or angiotensin II (Ang II) for 2 weeks to induce hypertension. The mesenteric arteries of Ang II-infused WT mice showed increased Ca(v)1.2 channel expression and accentuated Ca(2+)-mediated contractions compared with saline-infused WT mice. In contrast, Ca(v)1.2 channels failed to upregulate in mesenteric arteries of Ang II-infused Ca(v)β3(-/-) mice, and Ca(2+)-dependent reactivity was normal in these arteries. Basal systolic blood pressure was not significantly different between WT and Ca(v)β3(-/-) mice (98 ± 2 and 102 ± 3 mm Hg, respectively), but the Ca(v)β3(-/-) mice showed a blunted pressor response to Ang II infusion. Two weeks after the start of Ang II administration, the systolic blood pressure of Ca(v)β3(-/-) mice averaged 149 ± 4 mm Hg compared with 180 ± 5 mm Hg in WT mice. Thus, the Ca(v)β3 subunit is a critical regulatory protein required to upregulate arterial Ca(v)1.2 channels and fully develop Ang II-dependent hypertension in C57BL/6 mice.